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Weekly meals for families and seniors in San Jose

Manuel runs a volunteer pantry feeding 105 families; this fund restocks shelves for the harvest gap.

๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธ San Jose, California, United States1,626 views
Manuel A. Lozano
Email verified
San Jose
Since 2020, our volunteer team has run the Sunday Shelf every Saturday from the back of a school canteen. We started with 9 families, and now we feed 105 each week. Donations have dropped by about 42% this harvest gap, while the line has grown every single week. We rely on volunteers - 11 of us - and keep no salaries or overhead. I buy staples at wholesale prices at the San Jose market and keep every receipt. Each $25 feeds a family of four for a week. I'll post the weekly shopping receipts and a photo of the shelves each Sunday. Where the $2,850 goes: โ€ข Fresh vegetables and fruit: $980 โ€ข Refrigeration and electricity: $140 โ€ข Rice, beans, flour and oil (wholesale): $1,730 Even a small gift gets used right away and I'll thank you myself.

Updates from Manuel

  1. Update from San Jose: I met with the wholesaler and confirmed the amounts. We're at 10% of the goal. Thank you for believing in us.

  2. Thank you all. We're at 6% now ($178). I'm honestly stunned. we've started the first stage.

  3. Quick update: $100 raised so far (4%). we've started the first stage. Receipts coming as soon as I have them.

  • Maverick F. Patterson ๐Ÿ‡ฌ๐Ÿ‡ง ยท $10

    โ€œHang in there. Thought of Manuel all day after reading this. - Londonโ€

  • Eduardo G. Ramos ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ ยท $25
  • Paul Onyango Mussa ๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ฌ ยท $75

    โ€œPraying for you. Thought of Manuel all day after reading this. - Kampalaโ€

  • Pilar B. รvila ๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฝ ยท $20
  • Seema S. Gill ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ ยท $10
  • Irfan Rizky Saputra ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ฉ ยท $100

    โ€œGod bless. Thought of Manuel all day after reading this. - Jakartaโ€

  • Anonymous ๐Ÿ‡ง๐Ÿ‡ท ยท $10
  • Anonymous ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณ ยท $10
  • Fionn F. Martin ๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ช ยท $58
  • Irfan Khalid Jatoi ๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฐ ยท $50

    โ€œHope it all works out. Hope the July deadline works out. - Karachiโ€

  • Nkechi Ronke Odukoya ๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ฌ ยท $50

Reviews

1.9(7 reviews)

Only people who gave to this need, or whose offer to help was accepted, can review it.

  • Themba B. Williams๐Ÿ‡ฟ๐Ÿ‡ฆVerified helper
    Exactly what I needed

    This is the kind of person who restores your faith in humanity. They didn't just offer help; they genuinely cared about my wellbeing and followed through on every commitment.

  • Ahmed Zaid Hamdan๐Ÿ‡ฒ๐Ÿ‡ฆVerified donor
    Restored my faith in humanity

    This helper is honest and transparent about what they can do. They didn't overpromise, but they did deliver excellent results. I would definitely trust them again.

  • Anita Sita Subedi๐Ÿ‡ณ๐Ÿ‡ตVerified helper
    Honest and trustworthy

    Perfect example of someone making a real difference. They took time out of their busy schedule to help me and never made me feel like a burden.

  • Harsh D. Gaikwad๐Ÿ‡ฎ๐Ÿ‡ณVerified helper
    Went above and beyond

    I can't speak highly enough about this helper. They were available when I needed them, supportive when I felt lost, and practical in their solutions.

  • Barbara Beata Michalak๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฑVerified donor
    Really cared about my situation

    Perfect example of someone making a real difference. They took time out of their busy schedule to help me and never made me feel like a burden.

  • Daniel G. Rรญos๐Ÿ‡บ๐Ÿ‡ธVerified donor
    Practical and effective help

    This experience has restored my faith in the goodness of people. The helper was professional, knowledgeable, and genuinely cared about my outcome.

  • Asad Babar Naqvi๐Ÿ‡ต๐Ÿ‡ฐVerified helper
    Helped when no one else could

    The difference this person made in my life cannot be overstated. They were patient, kind, and persistent in helping me find solutions. Truly exceptional.

Questions & comments

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  • Take care, Manuel. I hope things turn around soon. I hope July is when things finally get easier.

    • Wishing you peace, Manuel. Reading this made my day a bit heavier but I'm glad I did. This is the second need I've supported on here and the first that made me cry.

      $418 raised of $2,850

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